Expandable three in one swaddler

ABSTRACT

A swaddler which is suitable for a child from birth until when the baby rolls over. It has two interior pockets and a removable seam to extend its length, allowing for a better sized fit during baby growth stages. The three sizes in one design eliminates excess material, some potential causes of suffocation, the wide leg pouch is designed to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia and the soft compression provides the correct amount of secureness without causing respiratory constriction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The swaddling of infants has been practiced since ancient times by people around the world. Swaddling protects an infant from the surrounding environment, allows a caregiver to handle and carry an infant more easily, and has long been thought to comfort and quiet an infant.

As is well known and understood, “swaddling” is used to describe the art of snugly wrapping one's baby in a blanket for warmth and security. It can keep them from being disturbed by their own startle reflex, and it may even help them stay warm for the first few days of life until their internal thermostat kicks in. Most importantly, it can help to calm the baby. Swaddling also helps fussy babies sleep, assists in preventing facial scratches, makes breast feeding easier and enhances comfort for the newborn. The “swaddling” procedure generally includes the following:

a. Laying a blanket on a flat surface and folding down the top-right corner about 6 inches;

b. Placing the baby on its back with its head on the fold;

c. Pulling the corner near the baby's left hand across its body, tucking the leading edge under its back on the right side under the arm;

d. Pulling the bottom corner up under the baby's chin; and

e. Bringing the loose corner over the baby's right arm, tucking it under the back on its left side.

Because the first few weeks in the wide-open world can be unsettling for the newborn (who's recently emerged from the closeness of the womb), swaddling the baby in a blanket can help it feel secure and normal as it adjusts to its new environment.

The key to effective swaddling appears to reside in a combination of factors. Loosely-swaddled infants tend to be more restless than snugly-swaddled infants, but overly tight swaddling may inhibit breathing. An infant is comforted by having her arms held snugly against her midsection and by having even pressure applied around her torso. Limitations on leg movement help also, but complete immobilization of the legs may promote hip dysplasia. Any pressure against the head is also counterproductive. Too thin a wrap may provide inadequate restraint, but too heavy a wrap may overheat the infant.

It is thought that gentle, even pressure around an infant's torso and immobilization of her limbs may simulate the pre-birth environment. Additionally, or alternatively, immobilization of the limbs may keep an infant from startling herself awake by reflexively flailing her limbs in her sleep and striking nearby objects. Pressure against the head is thought to awaken an infant by stimulating the “rooting” response, where the infant reflexively seeks a nipple.

In summary, swaddling soothes babies by recreating the familiar comforting snugness of the womb and helps prevent the startle reflects from waking them when asleep. While not wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that swaddling works because it creates a deep pressure touch feeling that facilitates the release of dopamine, a pleasure inducing chemical made in the brain. And, when dopamine is released, it produces a relaxing, calming effect.

Swaddling, however, is not without its challenges. For example, when infant's arms can come out of the swaddle, they may lift the fabric over their face which, of course, creates risk. Also, if the baby is bound too tightly with their legs held straight out, it creates a risk of hip dysplasia. Other risks associated with incorrect swaddling include hypothermia, i.e., overheating, and compromised respiratory function caused by swaddling too tightly over the chest.

On the other hand, proper swaddling with the right amount of compression mimics the mother's embrace so the baby sleeps like they are in your arms. Also, proper swaddling involves a swaddler that eliminates excess material so that the baby does not become tangled, or slide down in an oversized ill-fitting swaddle, even risking suffocation.

Finally, swaddling only occurs with the youngest of babies, but they are also fast growing. Since one does not want too much material because of the associated risks involved with that, an ideal swaddler would be one which can fit all sizes of babies, i.e., from birth to 18 inches, from 18 inches to 24 inches, and finally 24 inches to 28 inches when swaddling generally is no longer needed.

It is therefore a primary objective of the present invention to provide a universal swaddler of improved design which is known as a three sizes in one swaddler, i.e., it is suitable for all three child lengths, and early life stage growth, and it is one which replicates the calm feeling of the womb while reducing the risk of respiratory compromise, hip dysplasia and/or suffocation.

The method and manner of achieving these objectives will become apparent from the detailed description which follows hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A swaddler which is suitable for a child from birth until when the baby rolls over. It has two interior pockets and a removable grow seam to extend its length. The three sizes in one design eliminates excess material, a potential cause of suffocation, and is designed with a wide leg pocket to provide the correct amount of secureness without attendant risks of hip dysplasia, and finally the fabric has some stretch to eliminate potential for respiratory problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with certain parts broken away of the swaddler of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the swaddler in its wrapped condition; and

FIG. 3 shows the child in the swaddler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The swaddler is comprised of a back panel 10 having opposing arm panels 12, 14. Arm panel 12 has a hook and loop fastener, 16 and 18 respectively, and arm panel 14 has a loop patch 19. As shown in FIG. 1 there are two pouches 20 and 22 sewn to the back panel 10. The first pouch 20 has its outline shown at dotted line 24. The second pouch 22 which is attached over the first pouch 20 and has a removable growth seam shown at 26 to allow it to be extended in length as illustrated at 28 by removal of the seam 26. Thus the first pouch can be used from a birth to 18 inches in length. The second pouch with the removable growth seam 26 in place can be used from 18 to 24 inch length and with the growth seam 26 removed, the pouch is then suitable for 24 to 28 inch length babies. Normally pouch 20 is used for average size children initially, then the intermediate pouch 22, and then the extended length pouch 28.

The pouches are illustrated with the arms 12 and 14 wrapped and closed in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows a baby in the pouch properly wrapped.

Preferably the fabric provides a soft compression with the preferred material, ideally a combination of 90% Polyester Spandex, frequently 90% Polyester and 10% Spandex. This material is breathable, moisture wicking fabric which helps prevent overheating while providing compression fit to the baby so it sleeps like it would in your arms. Wide pockets as illustrated in FIG. 1 at 20, 22 will let the baby move and flex its legs freely to promote healthy hip development and reduce the risk of hip dysplasia. The adjustable flexible fabric fastener prevents the baby from breaking out of the swaddle and allows proper adjustment of the snugness. The removable growing seam 26 allows an addition of 4 inches of leg room for growing babies. Tightness is controlled by how far the arm panels 12 and 14 are wrapped before they are fastened (see illustration FIG. 3) and by the nature of the stretchable material.

The removable grow seam 26 can be accessed by turning the swaddler inside out, and cutting the thread loops near the edge and then simply pulling the thread out. The swaddler is then returned to its use position and pouch 28 is now present with four extra inches of length in comparison with previous pouch 22.

It can be seen from the above that the swaddler of the present invention accomplishes all of its objectives and its design is to minimize risk to the baby and maximize comfort and to be usable from birth until when the baby rolls. Therefore it accomplishes at least all of the stated objectives.

The principles, embodiments, and modes of operation of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing specification. The embodiments disclosed herein should be interpreted as illustrating the present invention and not as restricting it. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the range of equivalent structure available to a person of ordinary skill in the art in any way, but rather to expand the range of equivalent structures in ways not previously contemplated. Numerous variations and changes can be made to the foregoing illustrative embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An expandable swaddler comprising: a back panel having sides and front and rear surfaces, and having first and second opposing arm panels; a fixed length pouch in said back panel; and a length expandable pouch in said back panel; said first and second opposing arms each having fasteners to detachably attach said arms to a surface of said back panel.
 2. The swaddler of claim 1 wherein said length expandable pouch is positioned on said back panel, over said fixed length pouch.
 3. The swaddler of claim 1 wherein said first and second arm panels detachably fasten to said pouch with hook and loop fasteners.
 4. The swaddler of claim 2 wherein said length expendable pouch has a removable grow seam to extend its length.
 5. The swaddler of claim 1 wherein the back and opposing arm panels are all made of a breathable, moisture wicking expandable material.
 6. The swaddler of claim 5 wherein the material is about 90% Polyester and about 10% Spandex.
 7. The swaddler of claim 3 which has a patch of loop material on its back panel for the hook fasteners to attach to. 